Summary

Make Art Great Again – Art Against Populism and Misinformation

In a world increasingly shaped by the rise of populism and the spread of misinformation, the role of Art as a catalyst for critical thinking, creative expression, and freedom becomes more crucial than ever. Art has the power to challenge narratives, inspire inclusion, and celebrate diversity. That’s why we invite you to unleash your creativity in “Make Art Great Again” a Youth Exchange where you’ll delve into the intersection of visual arts, inclusion, and diversity while connecting with the vibrant community of Peniche – a coastal gem in Portugal known for its surf culture and open-minded spirit.

The goal of this exchange is to draw inspiration from Peniche’s unique community and transform their stories into meaningful works of visual art. Whether through drawing, painting, graffiti, eco-material sculptures, photography, or comics, the possibilities for self-expression are endless. Together, we will create a collaborative mural in the heart of Peniche, leaving a lasting imprint of creativity and social intervention.

This artistic journey will explore themes like inclusion, sustainability, misinformation, and critical thinking through engaging, non-formal activities. You’ll have the chance to collaborate with peers from across Europe, strengthen your teamwork skills, and build lifelong connections. Join us and make art a powerful tool for change – together, let’s make art truly great again!

Activity Schedule

  • 5th February: Arrival Day

    This day is dedicated to traveling. We will buy the flights for all the selected participants! See more details about the traveling at the end of this infopack. We are expected to arrive at the accommodation in the evening.

  • 6-7th February: Team Building & Exploration

    Participants will organize interactive activities and play topic-related games to help everyone get to know each other and create a friendly, cooperative atmosphere. We’ll have the chance to explore the village of Peniche, engage with the locals, listen to their stories, and draw inspiration from the community’s culture. These interactions will spark ideas and creativity that will shape the art we develop in the following days.

  • 8th February: Debates and Discussions on Art and Society

    This day will focus on exploring the dangers of populism, the spread of misinformation, and the role of art in fostering critical thinking and diversity. Using non-formal learning methods such as debates, interactive group activities, and reflections, participants will discuss how art can respond to societal issues and drive impactful transformation.

  • 9-10th February: Tour Through Visual Arts

    Through engaging challenges in a cooperative, team-based environment, we will explore different forms of Visual Arts, such as painting, drawing, graffiti, printmaking, eco-material sculptures, photo comics, and design. More experienced participants are expected to support those who are newer to these art forms, ensuring everyone feels comfortable and confident throughout the creative process.

  • 11th February: Art Showcase

    We will re-create and showcase the art we’ve worked on in a mural located in Peniche. This mural will reflect the essence of the village and its community, sharing their stories and culture through our work. By making our art visible in the local space, we’ll increase its visibility and leave a lasting connection with the people of Peniche.

  • 12th February: Mobility Closure

    We will reflect on our experiences, assess the impact of the program, and plan future dissemination activities. This day will also be dedicated to saying our goodbyes, celebrating the friendships and memories created, and distributing Youthpass certificates during a closing ceremony to mark the end of this experience.

  • 13th February: Departure Day

    This day is dedicated to traveling. We are expected to depart from the accommodation and head to Lisbon by private bus in the morning.

Location and Venue

We will be accommodated at Peniche Surf Camp, just a few meters from the beach. This inspiring venue offers the perfect blend of comfort and connection, allowing us to engage with the local community and immerse ourselves in the vibrant culture of Peniche. The camp includes shared rooms for 3-4 people, organized by gender, as well as common areas such as a kitchen, a group activity room, and balconies for relaxation and socializing. Participants can also schedule surf lessons during their free time (at their own cost) for an extra dose of adventure.

Participant Profile

  • Resident or citizen of one of these countries: Czechia, Hungary, Lithuania, Portugal, or Slovakia.

  • Aged between 18 and 24 years old (indicative numbers, not exclusive).

  • Shows enthusiasm or curiosity for the arts.

  • Ready to be involved with a local community from a different culture.

  • Open-minded, active, and disposed to help and contribute to the activity.

  • Available to attend the whole program duration and put effort into all the sessions.

  • Committed to sharing the project and its results with other groups of young people.

  • Not currently receiving any European Union funding (e.g., participating in an Erasmus university exchange program).

Selection Criteria

We are looking for participants who meet the specified criteria, with an emphasis on maintaining gender balance within the group. Prior experience in the field of visual arts is not required – Erasmus is all about learning! However, we welcome participants with art expertise who can lead sessions and support less experienced peers in their learning journey.

Motivation is key to being selected, so apply as soon as possible, as the selection process is ongoing and spaces per national group are limited. You can expect to be informed about your selection status via email once the applications are closed. Participants who demonstrate a willingness to contribute beyond the minimum expectations have a much greater chance of selection. Contribution goes beyond basic tasks like cleaning up after yourself or attending sessions on time. It means showing initiative, helping others without being asked, bringing positive energy, assuming responsibilities like taking care of your national team, sharing your ideas and skills with the group, or being willing to prepare or hold a session if needed.

Video Recap of “Young People in Action,” our previous mobility at Peniche Surf Camp.

Useful information

  • Participation costs: There are no participation fees. Travel, accommodation, and food are co-funded by the Erasmus+ program. However, selected participants will be required to pay a 50€ deposit to confirm their participation. This deposit helps prevent last-minute cancellations and covers any potential damages at the accommodation. The deposit will be refunded if participants attend all sessions and complete a dissemination task agreed upon during the closure day (e.g.: presenting the results of this activity at a school or to a group of friends; organizing a workshop in a local community; etc).

  • Health & Insurance: All participants must arrange travel insurance for themselves. Moreover, all participants must bring their European Health Insurance Cards, which can be used for hospital care if needed. If you do not have this card yet, you can easily make one for free.

  • What to bring: Identification card or passport; currency (in EUR) for personal items; national food for the cultural night; comfortable clothes for the entire activity (note that there is no washing machine available at the accommodation); warm pajamas and a winter coat (the area can be windy and the nights are cold); a triple socket (it might be useful to have one in your room); beach towel (only bath towels will be provided).

  • Q&A: Have doubts? Feel free to reach us through our social media channels. You can send a message directly to our hosting organization: www.instagram.com/clubedejovenseuropeus

  • Terms & Conditions: Refer to www.e29.eu/terms-and-conditions for detailed terms and conditions.

Travel

  • The non-Portuguese participants will travel by plane together with their national groups. All flight tickets will be purchased by our organization.
  • The booked flight fare is the most basic and includes only one small backpack that fits under the plane seats.
  • There are no guarantees that all participants will travel from the closest airport. Hungarians, Czechs, and Slovaks may travel together using Budapest Airport.
  • Lithuanians can expect an itinerary with a couple of flight connections.
  • The official travel days for this activity are the 5th and 13th of February. However, a few participants may need to start traveling one day earlier or return home one day later (especially those living far from the airports). Participants with duties that make them unavailable on the 4th or 14th of February must mention it in their applications.
  • There is only one sending city per country, meaning travel coverage will apply only from that specific city. EXAMPLE A: The sending city for Hungarians is Budapest, so a participant from Debrecen is expected to travel to Budapest Airport on their own and cover those costs. EXAMPLE B: The sending city for Czechia is Brno. This means the Czech national group will begin their travel itinerary together from Brno. Our organization will buy the bus/train tickets for Czechs traveling from Brno to their departure airports. Czechs from a different city, such as Ostrava, must either pay for a ticket to reach Brno or travel independently to the airport.
  • Tickets for travel within the same city, such as metro tickets or tickets for the shuttle bus to reach the airport (e.g., the 100E bus in Budapest), must be acquired and covered by the participants.
  • On the 5th of February in the evening, a private bus will drive us from Lisbon Airport to our accommodation in Peniche. This same private bus will drop us back at Lisbon Airport on the 13th of February in the morning. Participants are free to explore Lisbon during the travel days if they have time.
  • Portuguese participants can also use the private bus departing from Lisbon Airport to get to the accommodation in Peniche. However, if preferred, they can travel directly by car (covering their own expenses and arriving only in the evening).
  • Once all participants are selected and confirm their participation, the project coordinators will work with the national group leaders to develop a final travel itinerary for each group. These itineraries will be communicated via Discord, and the travel tickets will be shared via Email and Discord.

How to Take Part?

Sign in to your account or if you don’t have one sign up now and apply.

Deadline to apply: 05.01.2025

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.